By Ronald Nogueira
A leading figure in the evangelical church linked to Bolsonaro and a staunch ally of Congressman Sóstenes Cavalcante, who is the leader of the PL party in the Chamber of Deputies, Pastor Silas Malafaia is diametrically opposed to the possibility of a member of the Assembleia de Deus Vitória em Cristo church running for the Senate.
Malafaia states that Sóstenes should continue as a candidate for the Chamber of Deputies, despite the vacancy left open since the withdrawal of former governor Cláudio Castro last week. In the background, allies assure, is the already agreed-upon support for Marcelo Crivella (Republicanos) for the Senate, as the church's candidate.
The possibility of Sóstenes and Crivella running simultaneously could split the religious vote.
"Sóstenes has to continue as a candidate for the Senate, it's not the right time yet. My commitment so far is to Crivella," Malafaia states.
Earlier this month, Malafaia hosted Crivella at a church service alongside Flávio Bolsonaro and Castro, where he formally pledged his support.
The decision regarding Castro's replacement in the Senate will likely be made by Flávio Bolsonaro. Besides Sóstenes, Carlos Portinho and Carlos Jordy are also being considered for the position.
According to Malafaia, the PL party erred in not providing "second options" for the position.
"They allowed Carlos Bolsonaro to run for office in Santa Catarina, they let Felipe Curi join the PP. And now the PL is in this situation. There was a lack of planning," he says.
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